The success of European jiu-jitsu in the sport’s global stages has not been overwhelming, to put it mildly, particularly in the men’s black belt division. One corner of Europe, however, has been the exception to this rule, that being Scandinavia.
Although small in population, this region of Northern Europe has produced some of the world’s most exciting grapplers, both in the female and male categories. The list includes Alexander Tráns (Denmark), Tommy Langaker (Norway), Espen Mathiesen (Norway), Max Lindblad (Sweden), Ida Hansson (Sweden), Janni Larsson (Sweden), to name a few. Overall, Scandinavian athletes represent the majority of IBJJF World medals for Europe over the past few years, and that pool of talent shows no signs of drying out.
Rising through the ranks is one of most feared grapplers in the brown belt division right now, Norwegian sensation Tarik Hopstock. Born in Oslo, Norway, the 24-year-old has been on a tear for nearly 3 years in the brown belt division, a rank he earned from one of Norway’s BJJ pioneers, Mr. Eduardo “Teta” Rios, founder of the Front Line Academy.
Hopstock started grappling through judo, transitioning to jiu-jitsu in his early teens (2011). His breakthrough moment happened back in late 2014 when the (then) blue belt first used his trademark position, the Tarikoplata at a local event (more on the Tarikoplata here). Ever since that moment, the Frontline team standout has continuously improved on his game, being today as well known for his footlock game as he is for his own creation.
The success of his jiu-jitsu is unquestionable, 7 World Championship medals with the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), 5 with the gi, and 2 in no-gi, while also holding 12 (!) European Open medals, a possible record in the adult division. While building his medal tally in the sport’s most prestigious circuit, Hopstock has also improved his submission ratio from 2018 to 2020, particularly at the European Open, where he went from a 60% submission total (2018) to 80% back at the Euros last January.
Hopstock’s style is creative, athletic, crowd-pleasing, and submission oriented, attributes that appear to be somewhat of a tradition in Norwegian jiu-jitsu, after the examples of Tommy Langaker and Espen Mathiesen. To have a full grasp of Hopstock’s impressive run at the two biggest brown belt tournaments on the international circuit, the World Jiu-Jitsu Championships, and the European Open – check his record below:
2020 RESULTS
European Open 82KG
W – Callum Thomas via botinha lock
W – Tommi Karhitala via choke from the back
W – Shakeel Sammady via 4×0 pts
L – Gabriel Costa via decision
European Open ABS
W – Pedro Machado via footlock
W – Luiz Paulo via Tarikoplata
L – Erich Munis via 3×0 pts
2019 RESULTS
World Championship 82KG
W – Sang Hyeon Lee via toe hold
W – Matheus Batista via Tarikoplata
W – Alex Munis via toe hold
L – Jonnatas Gracie via decision
World Championship ABS
W – Alberto Buriasco via kneebar
W – Reda Mebtouche via loop choke
L – Marcus Vinicius via 10×0 pts
European Open 82KG
W – Fabian Benz via botinha lock
W – Taylor Pearman via 2×1 advantage (2×2 pts)
L – Lucas “Simba” Gualberto via 2×0 pts
European Open ABS
W – Patrick Sheridan via botinha lock
W – Guilherme Lambertucci via Tarikoplata
L – Victor Hugo via armbar
2018 RESULTS
World Championship 82KG
W – Lucas Wilhan via 2×1 advantage (4×4 pts)
W – Anthony Cruz via DQ (exited match with submission locked)
W – André Góis via triangle-armbar
L – Jonnatas Gracie via 11×2 pts
World Championship ABS
W – Jack Bainbridge via darce choke
W – Matheus “Tá Danado” via 1×0 advantage (0x0 pts)
L – Kaynan Duarte via Estima lock
European Open 82KG
W – Alberto Buriasco via botinha lock
W – Bryn Meirion via Tarikoplata
W – Rehan Muttalib via 2×0 advantages (2×2 pts)
W – Leonardo Lara via decision (2×2 pts)
European Open ABS
W – L. Domingues via Tarikoplata
L – Victor Hugo via 11×2 pts
The willingness to expose himself to new ideas, and the fearlessness that Tarik possesses to test those concepts on the mat, in competition, have made of Tarik one of the most exciting prospects in the sport, one we hope to see on full display later this month at the Polaris Squads event (check details here).
